The Renville Agreement, 1948

The Renville Agreement was a treaty brokered by the United Nations Good Offices Committee between the Netherlands and the Republic of Indonesia.  It was developed with the intention of resolving disputes between the Netherlands which was seeking to re-establish its colony in Southeast Asia at the end of World War II, and Indonesian Republicans seeking to secure their independence. 

The agreement was named after USS Renville, the ship on which the negotiations were held while anchored in Jakarta Bay.

The Good Offices Committee comprised three nations.  Indonesia nominated Australia as its representative, the Netherlands nominated Belgium and both agreed on the United States of America for the third impartial member.

Sir Richard Clarence Kirby AC from Australia presides at the signing of the Renville Agreement on board USS Renville, 17 January 1948. This session was attended by Vice-President Hatta.